In the Rozhdestvensky film, I like his solution (from 22’29”) to the perennial problem posed by the opening of the Symphonie fantastique: “I simply invited them to begin” and then let them get on with it.

Which reminds me, a noted baroque conductor was rehearsing the opening of a slow aria in the Matthew Passion. One of the wind players suggested he might try subdividing:
“Could you give us 7–8 into it?”
Conductor, indignantly: “I didn’t get where I am today by giving 7–8!”

I didn’t get where I am today by… soon became another musos’ snowclone.

And here’s Larson’s take on conducting.